Eviction Crisis in Colorado: Denver Poised to Shatter Record Number of Filings

Denver, Colorado, is on pace to break its record for evictions this year, with over 9,000 filings already submitted and projections pointing to over 15,000 by the end of 2023. The state of Colorado has also seen a 10% increase in eviction filings compared to last year. Rising rent prices and insufficient rental assistance are driving the surge in evictions, leaving many Coloradans facing housing instability.

Denver, Colorado, is poised to shatter its record number of evictions this year, as eviction filings continue to rise at an alarming rate. According to the Denver Post, Denver has already seen over 9,000 eviction filings this year, a 32% increase compared to this time last year. The city's Department of Housing Stability predicts that over 15,000 eviction filings will be submitted by the end of 2023, approximately 20% higher than the previous record set in 2022.

Eviction Crisis in Colorado: Denver Poised to Shatter Record Number of Filings

The eviction crisis is not limited to Denver. Statewide, Colorado has experienced a 10% increase in eviction filings compared to last year, with over 25,000 filings as of August 5th. Zach Neumann, co-founder and executive director of the Community Economic Defense Project, attributed the surge in evictions to rising housing costs. "Housing prices in Colorado are very, very expensive, and (many) people don't make enough money to comfortably pay their rent," Neumann told the Denver Post. "Which means that a single $500 emergency – a flat tire, an unexpected medical bill – means that someone is suddenly in the position of either having to make a hard choice or not being able to pay their rent at all."

In response to the growing eviction crisis, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law a program in November 2022 that set aside $30 million for rental assistance. However, the funds were fully depleted by June after benefiting approximately 8,000 people. The state is expected to allocate additional funding for rental assistance, but there are concerns about how effectively the program can be managed. "I think what's so damning and so hard about this moment is that it's become such a big problem, you have to ask the question of whether the state budget could effectively account for every single eviction," Neumann said. "Do we have the budget, do we have the financial bandwidth?"

Eviction Crisis in Colorado: Denver Poised to Shatter Record Number of Filings

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Neumann called for more comprehensive efforts to address rising rent costs. "Unaffordable rents, set by corporate landlords, have put basic housing out of the reach of working families. As the state works to build more affordable housing, we must fight for fair practices that ensure all Coloradans have access to a safe and stable home," Neumann said.

While some acknowledged that the rental assistance program provided temporary relief, others suggested that legislative efforts beyond eviction prevention are necessary. "Given our volatile economy, the recent federal jobs report, rising inflation, and increasing reliance on credit due to the inability to keep up with costs, it's no surprise that these challenges are reflected in housing dynamics. Despite these pressures, rents have remained flat," Colorado Apartment Association government affairs manager Destiny Bossert told Fox News Digital. "Rather than focusing solely on eviction numbers, we should be urging our legislators to tackle inflation, creating more jobs, and making living more affordable. This can be achieved by reducing red tape and eliminating costly government programs that fail to provide real benefits to the public."

Eviction Crisis in Colorado: Denver Poised to Shatter Record Number of Filings

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Colorado is the eighth most expensive state for affordable households, with the fair market rental value of a one-bedroom apartment costing approximately $1,600 per month. The coalition reported that a $14-per-hour minimum wage employee would need to work 85 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Colorado.

As the eviction crisis continues to escalate, Colorado organizations are calling on legislatures to focus on efforts to lower the cost of rent. They argue that providing rental assistance alone is not enough to address the root causes of the problem and that comprehensive solutions are needed to ensure all Coloradans have access to safe and affordable housing.

Eviction Crisis in Colorado: Denver Poised to Shatter Record Number of Filings